Up First from NPR Negotiating Trump's Sweeping Agenda, South Africa's President, DOGE Cuts
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May 21, 2025 Tensions rise as Trump's tax and immigration bill faces pushback from both moderate and hardline Republicans, warning of potential tax hikes. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's upcoming visit to the U.S. highlights diplomatic challenges amid strained relations since apartheid. Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency is on a mission to streamline federal agencies but faces legal hurdles and internal resistance. The mix of politics and government efficiency makes for a gripping discussion!
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Complex GOP Negotiations On Bill
- Trump's tax and immigration bill faces opposition from both moderate and hardline Republicans due to conflicting demands.
- Increasing one group's benefit risks losing another group's support, creating a complex negotiation dynamic.
Bill's Tax Cuts and Medicaid Risks
- The bill offers permanent extensions of 2017 tax cuts and includes new tax breaks, with later expiration.
- It cuts Medicaid with work requirements, risking coverage loss for millions, especially the poorest Americans and children relying on food assistance.
U.S.-South Africa Relations Tense
- U.S.-South Africa relations are tense due to Trump's claims about white farmers and refugee status grants.
- South African President Ramaphosa seeks to reset relations while addressing economic ties and countering Chinese influence.